Comparison of Four Different Types of Ferromagnetic Materials for Fault Current Limiter Applications

• Published in: IEEE transactions on power delivery Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 1491 - 1498
• Main Authors: Prigmore, Jay R., Mendoza, J. A., Karady, G. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.07.2013; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit faults; Coils; Connection and protection apparatus; Disturbances. Regulation. Protection; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fault current limiters; Fault currents; ferromagnetic materials; Magnetic cores; Magnetic hysteresis; Magnetic materials; Materials; Miscellaneous; permanent magnets; Power networks and lines; power system protection; Steel; Performance evaluation; Ferromagnetic materials; Electric circuit; Damage prevention; permanent magnets; Current limiter; Finite element method; Hysteresis loop; Inductance; Material testing; Distribution network; Stratified material; Protective device; Steel; Fault current limiters; magnetic cores; Electrical network; Power system protection; Magnetic core; Properties of materials; System simulation; Mechanical structure; Permanent magnet; Electrical simulation; Comparative study; Piecewise linearization
• ISSN: 0885-8977; 1937-4208
• DOI: 10.1109/TPWRD.2013.2249537

A comparison of neodymium, samarium-cobalt, aluminum-nickel-cobalt, and laminated steel is presented for use in fault current limiter applications. The ferromagnetic material properties are modeled using the Preisach method of hysteresis. The nonlinear inductance of each magnetic core is calculated and displayed. Only the material properties are changed during each consecutive simulation and are subjected to distribution system parameters to assess their fault current limitation applicability. Finite-element analysis is performed on the casing and coils of the mechanical design structure of the new hybrid fault current limiter. A new fault current limiter topology is presented and simulated in Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation. The simulated results show the effect of different materials on the current limiter's performance. Conclusions are made that neodymium is the most suitable ferromagnetic material (of the materials tested) for fault current limiter applications.